Metabolic Control and Its Correlates among Diabetic Patients in Aljouf Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional study

Background: Throughout the world, diabetes, and its consequences, constitutes a serious problem for public health. Metabolic control can reduce the risk of diabetes complications. The present study aims to determine diabetic metabolic control among diabetic patients in the Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia, and its association with family function, depression, and other sociodemographic and clinical data. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 279 diabetic patients attending the diabetic center in a specialized hospital in Aljouf Region, Saudi Arabia. A structured anonymous questionnaire was distributed to the targeted population during a direct interview. Results: The present study showed that HbA1c was 7% among 86% of the participants. Regarding lipid profile, abnormal HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels were detected among 39.4%, 41.2%, 68.5%, and 50.2% of the participants, respectively. Severe depression and severe family dysfunction were detected among 22% and 6% of the participants, respectively. Increasing age was associated with higher LDL levels and diabetes duration was associated with higher HbA1c levels in patients with diabetes. Conclusion: The study concluded that family function and depression do not directly affect diabetic patients’ diabetes metabolic control and the study showed a high prevalence of uncontrolled HbA1c levels and dyslipidemia among the study participants. Further investigation into the variables underlying the control of diabetes is required to further enhance patient outcomes because many people are still failing to meet the metabolic control objectives. Keywords: Metabolic control; Depression; Family function; Diabetes mellitus; Saudi Arabia